DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
WaveForm Wavefront Technology
Partnering with Veatch Ophthalmic Instruments and Huvitz, WaveForm has developed a process to acquire individualized wavefront data from each patient and integrate this information into the refracting process. It then seamlessly transmits this data directly to an advanced free-form generator to manufacture eyeglass or wavefront-guided contact lenses.

High-order aberrations can be asymmetrically placed on the front surface of a soft contact lens—accurately correcting the imperfections that can cause vision discomfort, especially under low light conditions. The wow factor is clearly demonstrated in patients with degenerative diseases such as keratoconus or pellucid marginal degeneration, and the asymmetric optical design of these contact lenses provides significant vision improvement for high astigmats and presbyopic patients. WaveForm will introduce a fully customized WaveFront Guided Progressive Multifocal soft contact in early 2012.

Visit www.waveformlenses.com or call (877) WAV-FORM.

Vmax PSF Refractor
The PSF Refractor from Vmax Vision, Inc. now provides clinicians with a subjective refraction module that measures a patient’s night vision capabilities, in addition to already providing subjective point-spread function patient refractions with 0.05D accuracy. It can measure patients for ultra high-definition vision subjectively in normal light.

Eye care practitioners can use that data to prescribe premium Encepsion PALs and single-vision lenses, which are manufactured using 100% digital free-form diamond point technology, incorporating the patient’s lifestyle and individualized fitting data. The new subjective night vision test is an unprecedented method for clinicians to measure and dispense premium eyeglasses to patients that have changing nighttime visual needs, the company says.

Call (888) 413-7038 or visit www.vmaxvision.com.

OFFICE EQUIPMENT
Optovue iStand for iVue SD-OCT
Optovue received FDA 510(k) clearance for its new iStand, a multi-directional rolling stand used for universal positioning of the iVue SD-OCT system.

By mounting the compact iVue onto iStand, clinicians may easily move their OCT between the exam lane, hospitals and satellite offices. An articulating arm facilitates scanning patients in various positions, including the supine position.

Visit www.optovue.com or call (866) 344-8948.

Biodegradable Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution
Western Optical Supply’s new Biodegradable Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution works to make ultrasonic cleaning units perform more effectively and efficiently, the company says. The solution removes dirt, dust, oil and residue from lenses, bevels and spectacles. Frames and lenses do not need to be rinsed before drying.

The solution is available in a four-ounce super concentrate, which saves on shipping costs and waste. Use one ounce or less per tank.

Visit www.westernoptical.com, or call (800) 423-3294.

Chemalux Cut-to-Coat System
Chemalux introduces the DL CTC, a digital cut-to-coat, free-form system that uses patented plannization hard coating and high-precision diamond turning technology. It also has a specialty lens menu with options to cut specialty lenses including blended lenticular, slab off, slab on and high base wrap.

The DL CTC has a small footprint and low capital investment. It generates surfaces ready for hard coating without any polishing. This eliminates the polishing step while making the process simpler and more cost-effective.

The generator has an air-bearing spindle with automatic chip segmenting for polycarbonate swarf. It uses mist technology during the diamond-cutting process, which eliminates the need for a cooling system tank.

For more information, visit www.chemalux.com or call (800) 475-3628.

FRAMES
Safilo BOSS Orange
The BOSS Orange optical collection from Safilo USA makes its stateside debut this fall, with a young and metropolitan look in crossover styles. With a total of 17 styles, the U.S. launch collection is comprised of nine plastic offerings and eight metal styles—seven are unisex, six are for men and four are for women.

• The 1950s-inspired men’s acetate and steel frames (BO 0002) feature stylishly shaped temples and a logo that appears against strong color combinations, such as black matte ruthenium, dark havana brown, blue matte black and grey transparent black. 

• The men’s optical models are produced in ultra-lightweight stainless steel with an ultra-slim shape (BO 0003) or a rectangular shape with wavy temples featuring the BOSS Orange logo with a cut-through effect (BO 0004, BO 0006 and BO 0007).

Color tones include matte black, dark olive, matte green, matte palladium, dark ruthenium, matte beige and matte blue. 

• The women’s acetate optical frame (BO 0008) features a large butterfly shape, decorated with the logo plaque. It’s available in havana turquoise blue, havana red burgundy, havana violet and black. 

• With a mix of retro style and modern spirit, these acetate optical frames have winning appeal with their large and rounded shapes.
Distinctive details such as two studs positioned on the sides of the front and the photo-engraved logo on the temples are visible on up-to-date colors (BO 0023 and BO 0024).

• With unique wavy-shaped temples bearing the logo, the ultra-light design of the steel optical frames is enhanced by refined color combinations including water, semi-matte violet, matte green and matte black (BO 0025). 

For more information, visit www.safilousa.com or call (800) 338-5583.

WEB/SOFTWARE
No-Glare.com Site Launch
Essilor of America, Inc., launched No-Glare.com, a new digital resource for eye care professionals and their patients, developed to promote greater understanding about the benefits and importance of No-Glare lenses. The site features real-life situations, which promote understanding of No-Glare lens functionality in a variety of conditions.

The site also includes training videos and informational columns for the educational benefit of eye care professionals.

Visit www.no-glare.com or call (800) THE-EYES.

OfficeMate/ExamWRITER Version 10.5
Eyefinity introduces OfficeMate/ExamWRITER electronic medical records v10.5, ONC-ATCB 2011/2012-certified as a “Complete EHR” by CCHIT. It enables users to achieve meaningful use in order to qualify for up to $44,000 in federal stimulus money.

Among its most unique and anticipated features is its CMS Meaningful Use Reporting Window, which allows users to easily track their meaningful use criteria. It also calculates the percentage of criteria that the user meets so they can report the data during the attestation process. 

Other new features include an upgraded appointment scheduler, improved claims processing, customized reports and an enhanced VSP interface.

Existing users who wish to upgrade to v10.5 can visit Eyefinity’s MyInstallCenter, which will assist them by asking a series of questions about their practice, hardware and which parts of the software they currently use.

Visit myinstallcenter.officemate.net or call (800) 269-3666 (option 1). 

IMAGING DEVICES
Kowa Nonmyd WX3D Retinal Camera
Kowa Optimed, Inc., releases the nonmyd WX3D, a non-mydriatic 3-D retinal camera for simultaneous stereoscopic retinal photography. This innovative new imaging capability is added to its already integrated normal and small pupil settings. The addition of 3-D photography of the optic disc enables eye care practitioners to properly diagnose glaucoma in their patients.

It can also connect to Kowa’s Digiversal Open Image Management system so that information collected with the nonmyd WX3D can be quickly viewed, compared, organized, annotated and shared. The camera provides both 2-D and 3-D imaging:

• 2-D, normal, field angle 45°: Kowa’s optical design in combination with the 12-megapixel digital SLR camera delivers extremely detailed retinal images. The integrated nine-points internal fixation system allows for auto-mosaic imaging, covering a large retinal area.

• 2-D, small pupil, field angle 45°: Retinal images can be taken even with smaller pupils. On-screen guides indicate if the pupil size is within the sufficient range (above 3.5mm) for imaging.

• 3-D, stereo, field angle 34° (20° x 27°): Instant and simultaneous 3-D imaging of the optic cup and disc is captured in a single shot. Stereoscopic images are captured without image parallax shifts to strongly support glaucoma diagnosis.

Visit www.kowa-usa.com or call (800) 966-5692.

PHARMACEUTICALS
Bausch + Lomb Lotemax Ointment

Bausch + Lomb adds Lotemax ointment (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic ointment 0.5%) to its signature loteprednol etabonate line.
It’s indicated to treat postoperative inflammation and pain following ocular surgery.

Lotemax ointment is the first preservative-free topical ophthalmic steroid formulation in the U.S. It’s also the first monotherapy steroid ointment brought to the U.S. market in more than 20 years.

Visit www.bausch.com or call (800) 323-0000.

Fera Ophthalmic Ointments
Fera Pharmaceuticals launches four ophthalmic ointments—neo-polycin, neo-polycin HC, polycin, and neomycin and polymyxin B sulfates with dexamethasone.

Neo-polycin offers broad spectrum coverage for superficial ocular infections, including conjunctivitis, keratitis and blepharitis.

With these additions, Fera’s Rx ophthalmic ointment portfolio is now the largest available in the U.S.

For more info, visit www.ferapharma.com or call (414) 434-6604.